Molded finger plate for dial switches



7 June 24, 1930. G. HURFORD Er AL MOLDED FINGER PLATE FOR DIAL SWITCHES Filed Oct. 17, 1928 Fla. 4

FAQ 3 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v GEORGE HURFORD AND NORMAN V. KIPIING, OF ALDWYCH, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOBS TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 015 NEW YORK, N, Y.,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MOLDED FINGER PLATE FOB DIAL SWITCHES Application filed October 17, 1928, Serial No. 312,962, and in Great Britain October 19,1927.

This invention relates to dial switches such as are used in automatic telephone systems and one of the chief objects of the invention is to provide an improved finger-plate therefor which shall be cheap and capable of being readily manufactured in large quantities whereby the cost of production of the dial switch may be reduced.

In dial switches as at present generally manufactured, metal finger-plates which have i to be specially finished to present uniform appearance under wear, are used. This is expensive and adds considerably to the cost of the dial switch and moreover the instruction card holder which is generally provided in the center of the finger-plate is manufactured separately from the finger-plate, the two pieces being subsequently fastened together b screws.

Accor ng to one feature of this invention, we mold or cast the finger-plate preferably in a non-metallic substance capable of taking a satisfactory and lasting finish. We have found that phenol condensation products are suitable for the purpose in that they arecapable of being molded, possess considerable strength and will take a pleasing and lasting finish.

In order to provide additional strength for the molded finger-plate it may be thickened and formed with an annular strengthening rib preferably on its under-surface in the locality of the finger holes and/or a metal reinforcement may be incorporated in the molding.

According to another feature of the invention the instruction card holder, which has usually been made as a separate piece and subsequently assembled on the finger-plate, may be formed integrally with a molded or cast finger-plate either of non-metallic or metallic material. For instance the finger-plate may be made as a die casting.

According to another feature of the invention the finger holes may be replaced by recesses or depressions in the base of which the numbers, and code letters if required, would be located instead of being located on a separate number ring behind the finger-plate.

Fora more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing which shows specific embodiments thereof.

F1g. 1 is a front view of a finger-plate provided with holes, the instruction card holder being integral with the plate and Fig. 2 is a section through the center of the plate shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of a modified form of plate having finger depressions in stead of finger holes also with an integral instruction card holder and Fig. 4 is a sec tional view thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the finger-plate (1) is constituted by a unit molding or casting comprising an integral circular rib (2) in which the instruction card (3) and transparent disc (4 are retamed by means of the spring ring (5) in the usual manner. An annular strengthening rib (6) is provided on the under-face of the finger-plate through which the finger holes (7 extend. Metal reinforcements indicated diagrammatically at 12 in Fig. 2 may be included in the molding in any suitable manner such as in the form of a thin plate or reinforcing wires. The plate is secured to the dial mechanism in the usual manner by means of a screw extending through the center hole (8) the plate being located by means of a pin engaging the hole (9).

In the modified plate shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a similar molded construction is employed but in place of the finger holes depressions (10) are provided and the characters (11) are molded integrally with the plate in the 35 bases of the holes in the same operation as the molding of thecomplete plate.

These molded characters or their backgrounds may be picked out in a suitable color if necessary in order to show up to advantage, or the material may have a difl'erent finish imparted to it in order that the characters stand out in the necessary relief.

What is claimed is:

1. A molded finger plate for a dial switch comprising a disc having a plurality of finger holds, said plate being thickened in the region of said finger holds, and having metal reinforcements incorporated in the molding, a frame portion on the front of the plate,

said portion being molded integral with said plate and having an integral circular rib for receiving an instruction card.

2. A molded finger plate for a dial switch comprisin a disc having a lurality of finger holds, sai plate bein thickened in the region of said finger hol s, a frame portion on the front of the plate, said portion being molded integral with said plate and having an integral circular rib for receiving an instruction card.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 12th day of September 1928.

GEORGE HURFORD.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 11th day of October 1928.

' NORMAN V. KIPPING. 

